LEED AP BD+C Course & Exam Prep V5
BECOME A LEED AP IN 2 WEEKS, NOT MONTHS
Last updated: July 2026 — reflects the current LEED v5 exam
WHAT IS LEED AP BD+C?
A LEED AP is someone who has demonstrated advanced knowledge of the LEED rating systems and can streamline the certification process by guiding the project team through certification. (You’ll often see it called “LEED AP certification,” though strictly speaking buildings are certified and people are accredited.)
BD+C stands for Building Design and Construction. It’s the most widely held LEED AP specialty, and it covers new construction and major renovations. From commercial, multi-family residential, healthcare, industrial, to institutional projects. If a project is being built or substantially rebuilt, it falls under BD+C.
The credential is in high demand, since developers market buildings as
LEED certified to earn tax incentives and sell faster. Architecture and engineering firms count their LEED APs when bidding for work, having accredited staff is often what wins the project. That’s why the credential moves salaries.
+7,000 OF OUR STUDENTS PASSED THE LEED AP BD+C exam, it’s your time!
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
shadi abousamra
LEED TRAINER, SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT, UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
Shadi AbouSamra is a Sustainability consultant, LEED trainer, and university professor. Specialized in sustainable design, green building certifications, and high-performance buildings.
He has trained over +7,000 professionals to pass the LEED and WELL AP exam. Students worldwide have been prepared by Shadi from USA, UAE, Canada, KSA and many more.
Shadi has developed a simplified LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, WELL and the LEED Green Associate course that has saved professionals their valuable time and money. Helping scale their career, increasing income and becoming more credible in the market.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING
Results by students in interviews; outcomes vary by market, role, and experience.
- 35% SALARY HIKE
- Ashraf Shaaban
Project Manager
- 50% SALARY HIKE
- Omar Doughan
Operations Manager
- 47% SALARY HIKE
- Zeina Sawaya
Arch. Consultant
- FIRST JOB
- Linda K.
Junior Architect
- 20% SALARY HIKE
- Daria Taeb
Project Manager
- Ashraf Shaaban
Project Manager
- Omar Doughan
Operations Manager
- Zeina Sawaya
Arch. Consultant
LEED AP BD+C course from $187
HOW TO BECOME A LEED AP BD+C IN 2 WEEKS
WEEK 1
Learn all material using this simplified training, just 30 min/day.
WEEK 2
Exercise on 1 practice exam a day and review the flashcards.
REGISTER & SCHEDULE
Register on USGBC and schedule on the Prometric website.
Start by gathering free resources like the LEED AP with Specialty Candidate Handbook.
From there, follow the below 4 steps:
1. Learn the LEED AP material
Using this simplified, on-demand LEED AP BD+C training course that breaks down complex concepts into bite-sized lessons. Skip the lengthy books and complicated reference guides, you can learn all the LEED AP BD+C material in just 1 week by dedicating only 30 minutes a day.
2. Exercise on practice exams
Take 1 practice exam a day, making sure to pass them before registering for the official exam. You can get started with this free LEED AP BD+C practice exam.
3. Review through flashcards
The best way to learn all major key terms and review the study material is through the LEED AP BD+C flashcards, proven the most efficient way to study on the go.
4. Register and schedule
While registering and scheduling might feel the same, they are done on 2 different websites. First, register and create an account on USGBC where you will purchase the LEED Green Associate exam. After that, you will get a USGBC ID which you will use to schedule the exam on Prometric, where you can take the exam at a test center or online.
LEED AP BD+C COURSE & EXAM PREP FAQ
100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, taken at a Prometric test center or online via ProProctor. A passing score is 170 out of 200. If you take the combined Green Associate + AP BD+C exam, it’s 200 questions across 4 hours in one sitting.
Two requirements: you must hold a valid LEED Green Associate credential (or take both exams combined in one sitting), and you must be at least 18 years old. Project experience is recommended by USGBC but not required.
$350 standard, $300 for employees of USGBC member companies, if you already hold the Green Associate credential. The combined GA + AP BD+C exam is $550. The fee covers one attempt, a retake requires paying again in full.
The combined exam saves scheduling time and lets you earn both credentials in one 4-hour sitting, while save 50$. Most candidates who are new to LEED still take them separately, passing the Green Associate first, it’s less fatiguing and lets you build on the GA foundation before tackling BD+C depth.
Noticeably harder. The Green Associate tests general green building knowledge; BD+C tests applied, project-level knowledge of prerequisites, credits, thresholds, and documentation. Candidates who passed GA comfortably still need structured BD+C preparation.
Most candidates take 3 months using reference guides. With this simplified course, 30 minutes a day of training in week one, one LEED AP BD+C practice exam a day plus LEED AP flashcards in week two, you can be ready in 2 weeks.
No. All LEED exams are closed-book, whether taken at a Prometric center or online.
Yes, through Prometric’s ProProctor remote testing platform. You need a quiet private room, a webcam, and a system that meets Prometric’s technical requirements. Online and in-person results count equally.
It must be maintained with 30 continuing education hours every 2 years (compared to 15 for the Green Associate). Earning the AP also resets and extends your Green Associate maintenance.
BD+C covers new construction and major renovations, the largest project category. LEED AP O+M covers existing buildings’ operations and maintenance, and ID+C covers commercial interiors. BD+C is the most in-demand specialty and the default choice for architects, engineers, and contractors working on new projects.
Based on Archiroots data from over 7,000 students, earning a LEED credential resulted in an average salary increase of 30–50%. Individual results self-reported by students in interviews; outcomes vary by market, role, and experience. Beyond salary, firms actively seek LEED APs to qualify for projects requiring credentialed professionals.
Yes, the WELL AP, which focuses on the WELL Building Standard: health, wellbeing, and occupant comfort. Many professionals pair LEED AP with WELL AP to cover both sustainability and wellness expertise.
BECOME A LEED AP IN 2 WEEKS!